The life of this Volcarona had reached its end.
Now, it was merely her final struggle.
She paid no attention to the presence of Aoki and Steven.
The chains shattered one by one, but Volcarona's aura gradually weakened, and the speed at which the chains broke slowed as well. The energy she had absorbed from Beedrill and Heracross was nothing more than a drop in the ocean for her.
She had only managed to break free from these chains because she had abandoned all hope of survival, unleashing the last remnants of her life force.
Aoki's expression remained complex.
Suddenly, he wanted to see what Volcarona would do once freed from her restraints. He wanted to witness the final brilliance this legendary sun-bringer could display after being imprisoned for so many years.
By chance, Aoki retrieved two fist-sized Pokeblocks from his storage space.
Though the energy within these mid-grade Pokeblocks was insignificant compared to Volcarona's immense power, it was still far more than what she had drained from Beedrill and the others.
Under Steven's surprised gaze, Aoki tossed the two Pokeblocks toward the still-struggling Volcarona.
Sensing the energy-rich items approaching, Volcarona hesitated for only a moment before swallowing them whole.
Instantly, her body erupted with renewed radiance.
The chains shattered faster than before.
"Aoki…" Steven murmured, confused by Aoki's actions.
"This is her final moment. A Pokémon of her strength deserves the right to choose how she meets her end," Aoki said, watching as Volcarona's aura flared brightly once more.
"Her life… is ending?" Steven repeated softly.
He didn't doubt Aoki's judgment. As a skilled Breeder, Aoki understood Pokémon far better than he did. If Aoki said Volcarona's time was up, it must be true.
Aoki nodded, his expression steadying.
This Volcarona had taught him a lesson—no matter how powerful a Pokémon was, it was never invincible.
Technology in the Pokémon world was advanced. Even legendary Psychic-types like Mewtwo had been captured by Team Rocket's machinery. The Volcarona before them, clearly possessing Champion-level strength, had been imprisoned by ancient means for centuries.
Had Aoki and Steven not arrived, this mighty sun-bringer would have perished in the darkness, forgotten by the world.
"Still not enough?" Aoki muttered, noticing Volcarona's energy waning once more. He retrieved three more mid-grade Pokeblocks and hurled them toward her.
Then, flames erupted from Volcarona's wings.
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Every chain binding her shattered at once.
After centuries of corrosion, in the final moments of her life, those wretched restraints were finally gone.
For a moment, Volcarona hovered motionless, as if unsure what to do now that she was free.
Confusion flickered in her gaze—this was her last chance, her final act.
"Volcarona!"
Aoki's voice rang out. He pointed upward, toward the ruins' ceiling.
Volcarona followed his gesture, and something shifted in her eyes.
Her six wings scattered countless glowing scales, drifting like tiny meteors into the ruins' depths.
Then, in a flash, she appeared before Aoki.
Her blue eyes locked onto his, studying him intently—as if memorizing his face, as if contemplating something.
Three seconds passed.
Then, with a powerful beat of her wings, she shot upward.
BOOM!
The ruins' reinforced ceiling offered no resistance. A massive hole burst open as Volcarona soared through.
Aoki and Steven exchanged glances. They summoned Flygon and Skarmory, recalled their other Pokémon, and took flight, with Jaiya tied to Flygon's feet.
This time, Flygon didn't protest. He'd grown used to his trainer's eccentricities.
This human attracts absurdly strong Pokémon wherever he goes, Flygon mused. Might as well accept it.
Though slower than Volcarona, the two Pokémon carried their trainers swiftly out of the ruins.
There, in the vast desert, Volcarona hovered uncertainly, taking in the barren landscape.
She had imagined countless scenarios of freedom—but never a desert.
Yet time had run out. There would be no further journeys.
Perhaps… this was where she belonged.
Closing her eyes, she remembered her days as a Larvesta, dreaming of soaring through open skies with wings of her own. Now, evolved at last, this flight would be her last.
If this was her finale, she would make it glorious.
Under Aoki and Steven's watchful eyes, Volcarona ascended, her body igniting with golden flames.
A miniature sun blazed in the sky.
The fire grew brighter, hotter—her very body fueling the inferno.
Higher she climbed, a second sun rising alongside the first, casting light across the desert. Even distant travelers paused, gazing in awe at the twin orbs in the sky.
But it couldn't last.
The smaller sun flickered, its brilliance spent.
Then—scattering into embers, it dissolved into countless glowing particles, drifting gently downward.
Photographers across Hoenn captured the spectacle, ensuring it dominated headlines the next day.
And among those falling embers…
One shimmering fragment descended into Aoki's palm—a final gift from Volcarona, a thank-you for helping her one last time.